Anti-Virus and Firewall Question - Suggestions

notavirusfannotavirusfan
edited March 2006 in Science & Tech
I would like everyone's opinion. I currently have Norton's Internet suite (firewall and virus protection) and it is due to expire at the end of the month.

Please give me some recommendations on what is the best out there for firewalls and virus protection. Should I purchase a software suite that does multiple things or should I just purchase individual packages?

Any comments or recommendations is greatly appreciated!!

Comments

  • MohenjoMohenjo
    edited March 2006
    i like AVG.. not sure if there are any better however.
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited March 2006
    I'm with Mohenjo about AVG. It works great and it's free for personal use. Look for the free version of Zone Alarm to replace the firewall and you'll be set.

    Both of these programs use far fewer resources than Norton, and work as well or better. :)
  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited March 2006
    Norton is the NUMERO UNO problem when it comes to the calls I get about not being able to connect to the internet. 9 times outta 10, if they cannot connect but everything else seems fine. Norton is to blame, that other 1 outta 10 is a combination of server issues, and other firewalls which has their settings too high.:rant:

    I don't have firewalls installed on my computers, only AVG for antivirus. My router does the firewall work.
  • muddocktormuddocktor
    edited March 2006
    I use either AVG Free or Avast home Edition on my computers and both are free for home use. Both have a much smaller footprint than that bloatware resource hog that Norton peddles as "Internet Security". And I'll second the vote for Zone Alarm, which is decent and also free.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited March 2006
    I highly recommend Kaspersky Antivirus. I've started switching my customers over to it because it runs much lighter than AVG and is very accurate, and also finds trojans and a lot of spyware too. It's a tad bit expensive at $39.95 for a year (or $60 for two years), but it runs so light and fast (compared to the honking system hog beast that is Norton) that it's worth it.
  • dstyle347dstyle347 Boston
    edited March 2006
    Alright this might be old news to some people but can someone summarily explain how free software can remain free and effective? I have always just kind of taken that for granted so I really have no argument as to why free software should be trusted when the conversation arises.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited March 2006
    It depends on the business model for each individual company.

    For example, AVG Free relies on "wow, I use this avg free at home, so i'm going to tell my ..." (fill in the blank with IT decision maker)..." about it!"
  • PumalitePumalite Santiago-Centro
    edited March 2006
    Kudos for AVG Free and Zone Alarm!
  • dstyle347dstyle347 Boston
    edited March 2006
    So AVG free is more or less an advertising campaign for the not-free AVG. It just seems like AVG would lose out. I guess it works though, cause my AVG still updates so somebodys working over there at Grisoft.
  • RADARADA Apple Valley, CA Member
    edited March 2006
    primesuspect wrote:
    I highly recommend Kaspersky Antivirus. I've started switching my customers over to it because it runs much lighter than AVG and is very accurate, and also finds trojans and a lot of spyware too. It's a tad bit expensive at $39.95 for a year (or $60 for two years), but it runs so light and fast (compared to the honking system hog beast that is Norton) that it's worth it.


    I'm with Prime here, Norton is a pig.

    Kaspersky, Avast, or AVG are 3 of the best out there. Out of the 3, it's more of a personal, or cost preference. All 3 work very well.

    BTW - Avast cost me $54 for a 2 year subscription
  • NightwolfNightwolf Afghanistan Member
    edited March 2006
    I use avg free, I've persuaded most of my friends to use it too!
  • KwitkoKwitko Sheriff of Banning (Retired) By the thing near the stuff Icrontian
    edited March 2006
    Kaspersky AV. It has a tiny footprint and the updates come 4 times a day.
  • reelbigfishreelbigfish Boston, MA Member
    edited March 2006
    I use TrendMicro PC-Cillin for antivirus and firewall. It's not too expensive and it's got good detection rates. It's much lighter than Norton, which is true for most other products. They have a good antispyware too. I can't use Zonealarm because for some reason it locks up my machine.
  • RichDRichD Essex, UK
    edited March 2006
    In my experience Norton is a fairly secure complete solution but it really slows your machine down. Personally I go for AVG. I was a little sceptical about free software so posted here. There are some good responses and it will prob answer some questions.

    Do not trust Windows fire wall. My understanding is that it only monitors incoming traffic which will stop stuff getting in but won't stop someone taking information off of your PC. Get ZoneAlarm. I have put it on and it is awesome; easy to use and very tight.

    Also get copies of AdAware and Spybot Search and Destroy. All of this recomended software is free and very good.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited March 2006
    I use AVG for anti-virus, router+sygate for firewalls, Ewido/Adaware/Spybot/MS Antispy for spyware programs. I've never had a virus OR spyware, but I like to scan anyways.
  • HawkHawk Fla Icrontian
    edited March 2006
    I use AVG --updates/scans daily.
    Adaware/Spybot S+D /Ewido/ MS Antispy.
    Router + Winxp pro firewalls.
    Close to what your using Thrax.
  • gibbonslgibbonsl Grand Forks AFB
    edited March 2006
    Kwitko wrote:
    Kaspersky AV. It has a tiny footprint and the updates come 4 times a day.

    ditto for Kaspersky AV

    been using it for years
  • AtticusAtticus Dryden, Ontario, Canada.
    edited March 2006
    I was given a huge discount on TrendMicro PC-Cillin when i bought my new rig. My old system, my moms system, my work computers and a few others i've recommended use AVG Free w/ Zone Alarm. The only real difference i can find in performance between PC-Cillin and AVG w/ Zone Alarm is that PC-Cillin comes with a firewall built so its easy. It isn't resource intensive - Azureus uses more resources than PC-Cillin / AVG /w Zone Alarm. PC-Cillin has a horrible update notification(like every AV i've used) that knocks me out of my games. :banghead:
  • VicarVicar Icrontian
    edited March 2006
    All the above 'free' (AVG, Avast, Zonealarm etc) products are good,i use them myself. Very easy to use, install, sit back and feel ssafe.
    You might also want to consider Zonealarm internet security suite if you want to pay and have all your products under one roof.
    Stay well clear of Norton, its system hungry a hog, and also a pain to get rid of,
    you have been warned.

    All the best
Sign In or Register to comment.